Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1887-07-20
DOWN RIVER NOTES.

Mr.. Parker has returned from Fort Ben
ton where he attended the annual meet
ing of the Wool-Growers' Association in
company with Phil Gibson. Being asked
| by the TRIBUNE for some details of the
! banquet, Mr.. Parker said the annual
meeting of the wool-growers' at Fort
Benton was a grand success. The mem
bers received a royal welcome from the
| people of Fort Benton, who left nothing
| undone to promote their entertainment.
The banquet on Wednesday evening was a
| brilliant affair and was carried III with
| success. MI. W. G. Conrad, the president
of the board of trade, presided with Joseph
| Allin of Sand Coulee at the head of the
| second table. The assemblage was large
in number and included extensive WOOL
| growers, bankers, lawyers, merchants and
| prominent railroad officials. Himself and
all the guests from Great Falls and its
vicinity, were treated with every courtesy
and hearty wishes were expressed for the
prosperity of gu lows.
REGARDING THE BANQUET,
Mr.. Parker said Col. Leaning made an
excellent speech in which he referred in
gratifying terms to the growth Of the wool
industry. He said that while a few years
ago we could number our bands by the
score; now they are numbered by the
thousand. He said that the great reser-
walton is to be abolished and the area of
our grazing area thereby enlarged. He
said that we could almost hear the pick
and shovel of the graders, who are build
ing another great line into our territory.
Good speeches were also made by Mr..
Bower, the president of the Wool-Grow-
ers' Association, and by Mr.. Collins, who
spoke on the wool industry of Montana"
sir. Peck, the editor of the Montana
Wo0l-Gromer made some excellent points.
Among them, that from this region
northern Montana-after a hard winter,
there would be marketed the fleeces of
100000 sheep, a~ggregating 2,225,000
pounds. There will also be turned out
10000 wethers for shipment and sale, as
well as 100000 pounds of pelts, which
latter represents the serious loss of the
past severe winter, the worst ever known
in Montana. Upon the opening of the
Milk river reservation the territory tribu-
tary to Benton would be doubled, and
100000 pounds ofwool and $4,000 wethers
would be shipped from there. He con
cidered that this would be a fair estimate
of the capacity of the ranges in this imme-
diate section for some years to come"
The toast, "Our Territory" was respond
ed to by Mr.. Flint, the president of the
Sun River associations; and brief remarks
were made on the county of Choteau by
Mf. o. G. Cooper.
FORT BENTON THRIVING.
+
Speaking of Fort Benton, Mr.. Parker
says that The city shows signs of steady
prosperity. The streets are crowded with
teams laden with wool or merchandise.
The river traffic is brisk and a large
amount Of freight is being received for
Great Falls.
STEAMBOATS,.
Coal BANKS, July 16.ISpecial to the
Tribunel.-The steamer General Terry,
loaded with supplies for this point, arriv-
ed here at 8 p. m. last evening. She met
steamer Eclipse at Big Muddy, the Benton
loading freight from the disabled steamer
Helena on the morning of the 10th, and
the Rosebud at Milk river the same even
ing. After unloading she will proceed
back to Fort Benton. The steamer jose
phine passed up at 8 this q. m; the Batch
elor for Big Muddy at $40 a. m.
Coal BANKS, July 16.-[Special to the
Tribunel.-The graders are now within
sever miles of this place and are advanc-
ing rapidly to wards Benton.